Meltdown XLIII: "Capitol Hill" || Results.

- XLIII -
”CAPITOL HILL.”

Live from the National Mall in Washington D.C., USA.
Saturday 7th September, 2024.



[ “Life is a Happy Song” || The Muppets]

The boos are loud and heavy as the first thing we hear to start Meltdown is the theme music of the man who walked out of Back in Business as STILL the Fantasy Wrestling Alliance’s World Champion, Jeremy Best.

Rod Sterling: ”Welcome everyone to Meltdown… and well… this isn’t the way any of us probably wanted to start the show, but here we are.”

Anzu Kurosawa: ”While we’ve got a big night of action in store for everyone tonight, including a main event to determine the number one contender for this man’s championship, it looks like we get to hear from him first.”

Jeremy Best walks out from the back, uncharacteristically alone as he is not joined by any of his Friendship Wrestling Alliance cohorts. But even so, he’s all smiles, though his body shows signs of the war he went through with Krash at Back in Business in the Cremation Match, including wearing a patch over the eye that was on the receiving end of many screwdriver blows.

Rod Sterling: ”The champion still looks like he may not be at one-hundred percent following Back in Business. He and Krash nearly sent each other to Hell and back during the main event…”

Anzu Kurosawa: ”I’m not sure Krash made it back…”

Rod Sterling: ”Yes, it was Jeremy literally sending Krash up in flames that ultimately lead to him picking up the win, but he did not escape unphased as you can see. But most importantly, he got perhaps the final word in their long-running feud and is still the champion.”

Jeremy offers a friendly wave to the fans, who are not returning quite as amicable response as he walks down and climbs into the ring, taking the microphone.

Jeremy Best: “Hiya everyone!”

Louds boos are all Jeremy gets in response along with a ”JEREMY SUCKS chant.

Jeremy Best: “We did it! We did it everyone! I know you’re all as excited as I am! The Demon has been slayed! FRIENDSHIP has once again prevailed!”

Jeremy holds up the “World Champion of Friendship” title, again to more boos.

Jeremy Best: “And I know you’ve all been very worried about me following the match at Back in Business. I appreciate every single get well card… ever single balloon… ever single teddy bear… every gift you’ve sent me wishing me a quick recovery…”

Anzu Kurosawa: ”I’m guessing those were all sent from Sir Stache or Mejor Amigo.”

Jeremy Best: “But I assure you all, that I am quite well! As you can see, I am here and I’m not ready to stop battling for Friendship. There’s still much work to be done… and as they say, no rest for the weary. However, before I get to the future… there’s some people I need to thank.”

“First and foremost, I want to thank my pals Mejor Amigo, Sir Stache, and Tonya Scott for their continued loyalty and efforts they have put into making the FWA a much friendlier place. They certainly played their part at Back in Business and they’re sacrifices do not go unnoticed. Thank you all!”

“But there’s one man that made everything possible at Back in Business. Without him… I don’t think I’d be standing here tonight. Without him, I probably would’ve been the one being burned alive… he showed up when I needed him. Just like he always has. Just like he always will. And that of course… is my bestest friend in the whole wide world… BRYAN BAXTER!”

A pop goes through the crowd, though perhaps not for the reason Jeremy thinks.

Jeremy Best: “That’s right! Give it up for Bryan! He deserves all the praise!”

Rod Sterling: ”What Jeremy is omitting here is the fact that Bryan Baxter walked out on Jeremy during the match as well, refusing to comply to Jeremy’s demands to be the one to set Krash on fire… which is the real reason why the fans are cheering.”

Jeremy Best: “So Bryan… come on out - the people clearly want to see you and so do I!”

[”Bastard’s Anthem” || Dubb Rebel.]

Jeremy turns toward the entrance as there is a bit of an awkward pause, the crowd anticipating but at first no one comes out.

Anzu Kurosawa: ”After what we saw at Back in Business, I’m not sure Bryan has any interest in coming out right now.”

After what feels like an eternity, though Jeremy never seemed concerned, Bryan Baxter finally walks out from the back, receiving one of the more warm welcomes he has ever received in a FWA arena. Baxter is dressed in jeans and a white tee-shirt, one of the few times we’ve seen him in “street” gear. While Jeremy’s smile is beaming in the ring, Bryan does not look thrilled to be joining him as he climbs into the ring.

Jeremy immediately greets Bryan with a hug that he does not reciprocate.

Jeremy Best: “Bryan! So good to see you buddy! I’ve been tryin’ to call you for the past couple weeks… but must be a problem with your phone provider or somethin’ since you haven’t called or texted me back or nothin’”!

Bryan Baxter: ”What do you want, Jeremy?”

Jeremy Best: “You seem so gloomy, old pal. I know.. I know… you lost the North American Title… still not over that, huh? I’m sorry bud… but I think I can cheer you up.”

Bryan Baxter: ”Jeremy… am I pissed about losing… of course I am. You know I hate losin’ and you know how much that title meant to me, but…”

Jeremy interrupts Bryan before he can get to that but.

Jeremy Best: “Exactly! Because best friends know each other better than they know themselves!”

Bryan Baxter: ”Best friend? I thought your best friend was Krash? I feel like all I’m around to do is to make sure you keep that title and bust in the heads of anyone you go around make enemies with.”

Jeremy chuckles, placing his hand playful on Bryan’s shoulder.

Jeremy Best: “Oh, Bryan, you’re such a hoot. Besides, Krash was my friend yes… but… Krash is dead. Remember? But you’re my most loyal friend and certainly the one who has been with me the longest. Through thick and thin. Good times and bad! You’ve always been there for me. Just like you were at Back in Business.”

Bryan Baxter: ”Jeremy… look… I just don’t know if I can do this anymore.”

Jeremy Best: “Don’t be silly, pal. Of course you can! We’ve got a lot of work to do and on Fallout…”

Bryan Baxter: ”See, that’s the thing. I wanted to talk to you about this… I know you signed us up… without askin’ me… for this tag tournament…”

Jeremy Best: “Exactly! The tag tournament! That’s how we’re turning that frown of yours upside down. You want gold…then we’re gonna get you some, my friend! Because while we both have had our fair share of success in FWA… there’s still on thing we haven’t done. The BUDDY SYSTEM… has never won those tag team titles! And that’s just a shame, now isn’t it? For friendship to be so important… that has to be rectified, now don’t it?”

Bryan Baxter: ”Are you even in any shape to compete yet?”

Jeremy Best: “Like I said, no rest for the weary! I’m ready if you’re ready! And knowing that those titles are held by the “fake friends” of FTN… the ones who tried to assist the Demon… well, it just shows me that there is still a lot of work to be done here to make FWA a friendlier place.”

Bryan Baxter: ”I do enjoy kickin’ those guys’ asses…”

Ever so briefly, Bryan’s demeanor begins to change as he nods his head.

Jeremy Best: “There ya go! Just think about getting your hands on Chris Peacock again… or Alyster Black. Those guys have been a thorn in our side for a long time now… you’ve taken the North American Title from Peacock last time… I took the World Title from Alyster Black… let’s come together again… and take BOTH their titles this time! What do you say… BUDDY?”

Bryan hesitates, the crowd vehemently cheering for him to not accept Jeremy’s offer.

Bryan Baxter: ”The tag titles, huh? Me and you… partners. Equals.”

Jeremy Best: “No other way!”

Bryan Baxter: ”......Okay. Fine. Let’s do the damn thing. Let’s win the tag titles!”

Bryan actually seems fired up following Jeremy’s peptalk, the crowd quickly booing Bryan’s decision.

Jeremy Best: “I knew it! I knew I could always count on you! Now I don’t know who our opponents are gonna be… but it don’t matter… they don’t stand a chance… again TRUE FRIENDSHIP!”

Jeremy once again comes in and wraps his arms around Bryan’s large frame for a hug, this time Bryan half heartedly returning the hug with one arm, patting Jeremy on the back. “Life is a Happy Song” hits once again as the pair now leave the ring, this time together.



[Army of the Night || POWERWOLF]

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one-fall, with a twenty minute time limit… and is a first round match in the Elite Tag Team Classic! Introducing first, making their way to the ring, at a combined weight of four hundred and twenty pounds… ‘Baby’ Jean-Luc Watkins… ‘the Mad Wizard’ Konchu Hao… they are Vox Potentis!!"

Konchu and Jean-Luc appear on the stage, alongside Hao’s faithful minion Epsilon, to a generally positive reaction (mostly because all crowds love the exploits of the Mad Wizard). Konchu looks decidedly more confident than Jean-Luc, who looks around at the people assembled at the National Hall with a look of apprehension on his face.

Anzu Kurosawa: "A little too long in the tooth to be calling himself ‘Baby’ nowadays, don't you think?"

Rod Sterling: "It's been a long while since Jean-Luc Watkins was a regular competitor in the FWA, but he has made a smattering of in-ring appearances throughout his tenure as a commentator."

Anzu Kurosawa: "Those include a very brief appearance in the Carnal Contendership, as well as a losing effort to Alyster Black before his long X Championship reign."

Rod Sterling: "Hardly a glowing record, and one would have to think that Jean-Luc will have to rely heavily on Konchu in this match… as well as in the tournament as a whole."

Jean-Luc is nervously running the ropes, trying to find his stride, whilst Konchu Hao waits patiently in the corner. You can tell he's smiling beneath his mask, as though he's been waiting for this moment for a long time. Epsilon, meanwhile, claps on his master and his master's new friend from the outside of the ring. Finally, POWERWOLF fades out and is replaced by…

The lights in the arena go down as we are treated to the delightful voice of Aaron Harrows coming from the stage.

Aaron Harrows: "Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope- "

CRASH!

Aaron Harrows: "fuCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK!"

The screen lights up as we immediately see Harrows in a very specific attire as he immediately slips because of a puddle and nearly punts himself through a wall, only managing to stumble, as he finds his footing, and dashes into the hallway to his right. But when the camera switches to that hallway, we don’t see Aaron there but Brooklyn Steiner.

Brooklyn Steiner: "Damn it."

Brooklyn, feeling very similar emotions to what we just saw from The Top Star who now seems to have vanished as Steiner makes a bee-line towards the end of the hallway when he suddenly stops at the sight of some kind of orange portal opens up and suddenly multiple people march out with helmets with an orange ‘TVA’ on. Harrows walks out of the hallway as he tries to understand what’s going on.

TVA Agent: "Brooklyn Steiner. Aaron Harrows."

TVA Agent: "You are hereby arrested for straying off the Sacred Timeline's course. You are to cease your acts of terror and promptly surrender!"

We suddenly cut to a side-by-side of Harrows and Steiner, showing that both are in very different locations dealing with the same problem. Harrows stands in his home, while Steiner is in a nearby clothes store.

Brooklyn Steiner: "...Yeah not happening."

Aaron Harrows: "I finally do a Marvel entrance and this is how? Ugh. Fineeee."

Many of the TVA agents rush in to engage in close quarter combat with the wrestlers. The camera continues to go back and forth as both of them take many of the guards on, dodging incoming attacks from every possible angle, using few of the agents as meat shields. Whenever Harrows goes to punch someone, Brooklyn is the one that connects the punch. Whenever Brooklyn grapples, Harrows is the one to take him down. Mid-way through the moves, it just keeps switching to the other wrestler. They are in perfect rhythm despite not being in the same building as far as we know. Such a long fight sequence with this, Harrows is wailing slight more madly than Brooklyn Steiner who is showing more injuries than Harrows presumably from his BIB match. There is one major difference though, Brooklyn leaves the talker to be last but when he walks up to the last one, the agent catches him in a uppercut motion as Brooklyn goes for a swing and suddenly Brooklyn feels a sudden burning sensation and the next thing he knows

Brooklyn Steiner: "Oh for crying out lo-"

Brooklyn Steiner is pruned. We cut over to Aaron Harrows who smartly took out the leader early on in the fight and is now standing on a box victorious over his enemies! Until another portal open behind him.

Aaron Harrows: "....Don’t say the cringy thing, don’t say the cringy thing, they’re right behind me aren’t they? DAMMIT I SAID THE CRINGY THIN-"

Aaron Harrows turns around to try and fight but is immediately pruned as well.

The screen goes black. Kinda dramatic, are our heroes dead before their match? No. Because that would be like pulling a fake out death in a prequel. You know they have to wrestle. And there they are. Two lights hit the stage. The music starts.

[Like A Prayer || Madonna]

Aaron Harrows is the first to appear in a super nice Deadpool-themed outfit, followed by Brooklyn Steiner, who is dressed in wonderful Wolverine based attire. No mask though. It’s another mostly positive reaction as they emerge onto the stage. The pair go to opposite corners of it, hyping up the crowd at the Mall before continuing on down the ramp.

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And introducing their opponents… Aaron Harrows… Brooklyn Steiner… They are: Cinematic Universe!!"

Rod Sterling: "Both of these men faced disappointment at Back in Business, with Aaron Harrows eliminated from the first round of the X4 tournament by Trixie Harrows, and Brooklyn Steiner unable to overcome Tommy Bedlam in an unsanctioned contest… who just so happened to walk out with the X Championship that Harrows sought."

Anzu Kurosawa: "Perhaps they'll use mutual disdain for Tommy Bedlam to drum up some chemistry here, as they - just like their opponents - prepare to tag together for the very first time."

Rod Sterling: "Maybe, but there are certainly similarities between Harrows and Steiner, both in terms of their backgrounds and their in-ring style."

Anzu Kurosawa: "You can never really tell until that bell rings, Rod…"

Harrows and Steiner join their opponents in the ring, warming up in their own corner as Jean-Luc climbs out to hold the tag rope. Konchu stares dead ahead at Steiner and Harrows, questioning which of them will start things off with him. After a few moments of hushed whispers, it is decided that it's to be Brooklyn. The official issues some final instructions and then calls for the bell.



Konchu Hao rolls off his defeated foe and climbs to his feet, Epsilon joining him and applauding his master’s efforts. It takes Watkins a lot longer to take up a position at Konchu’s side, doing so whilst cradling his neck, nursing the effects of Harrows’ piledriver onto the apron.

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "Here are your winners… VOX POTENTIS!!"

The official lifts the arms of the winners, Watkins wincing in pain at the sudden enforced movement. Konchu looks decidedly more pleased with the events of the last seventeen minutes, whilst Watkins only seems relieved to have made it through to the other side.

Rod Sterling: "Well, how about that? Despite one of their members not competing as a regular full-time member of the roster for seven years, Vox Potentis - the team of Fallout commentators Jean-Luc Watkins and Konchu Hao - have progressed into the semi-finals of the Elite Tag Team Classic!"

Anzu Kurosawa: "By the skin of their teeth, Rod! You’ve got to feel for Cinematic Universe, who were drawing close to a victory on several occasions, but Konchu Hao always has a trick up his sleeve."

Rod Sterling: "Or sand in his pocket, as it were…"

As Harrows rolls out of the ring and regroups with Brooklyn Steiner on the outside of the ring, Konchu Hao has some words for Jean-Luc inside of it. We can’t hear them, but the tone seems congratulatory. Watkins isn’t quite ready to revel in the result of the match just yet, and when their opponents have retreated a suitable distance up the ramp he climbs out of the ring. He is anxious to get to the back, but Hao spends some time celebrating his triumph. We fade to black on this image of Konchu Hao and his faithful Epsilon.



The ring has a thick, red rug stretched across the mat, matching the one that flows up the entrance ramp. Rocco Sullivan is standing in the ring, dressed in one of his finest suits as he walks up to a podium.

Rocco Sullivan: “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m here to give the award for the best leading man at Back in Business 2024. And the nominees are…Tommy Bedlam! And the winner is…”Hollywood” Tommy Bedlam!”

2001 A Space Odyssey || Charlie Parra

Tommy Bedlam appears at the top of the ramp, his "working man" jeans and boots traded in for a sleek, black suit, and dress boots. As "2001 A Space Odyssey" plays over the PA system, the crowd rains down a flurry of jeers, none of them seeming to phase the new FWA X Champion. He climbs into the ring, feigning his surprise, and hugs Rocco.

Tommy Bedlam: “Wow. I…I have no words. I didn’t really expect to win this.”

Tommy facetious puts his hands over his mouth, feigning his surprise.

Tommy Bedlam: “I don’t have anything prepared, other than this speech in my pocket.”

Tommy reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a piece of paper, unfolds it, and lays it on the podium.

Tommy Bedlam: “First, I’d like to thank Brooklyn Steiner. If it wasn’t for him, I may not have been warmed up for the four-person tournament. Brooklyn, wherever you’re at, nursing your injuries, thinking of quitting, thank you for being willing to let me warm up against you.”

“Next, I need to thank Johnny Johnson. If he wasn’t such a soft little bitch, I never would have been able to take his spot in the match, doing all of you a favor, and making sure that you didn’t have to see him choke on a big stage. Johnny, thanks for not knowing how to fight your way out of a paper bag, you fucking loser.”

“Vengador. Thank you, you freak extraterrestrial freak. Thank you for not being a good enough wrestler to roll with the punches. I wasn’t prepared to face you any more than you were prepared to face me, and if you had been better, I might not have made it to the finals. Thanks for sucking, Vinny.”

“Trixie Bordeaux, I especially want to thank you. Thank you for being a transitional champ. Thank you for keeping my title warm. Most of all, thank you for being a pathetic excuse for an X Champion and for coming up short when the lights were shining on you the brightest. If you weren’t such a sorry excuse for an FWA X Champion, you may have retained. Thank you for being a bullshit champion.”

“Most of all, and this one is important, I need to think Mr. Jon Russnow. Jon, if you weren’t a spineless little bitch, I may not have even made it into the match. If you had the balls to tell me no, I wouldn’t have even had the chance to fight Vengador. If you weren’t a weak, sniveling little shit, you would have thrown me out of the building instead of letting Rocco and I talk you into doing what we wanted you to do. You, Jon, played perhaps the biggest role in my reclaiming my X Title. Thank you for that.”

“Now, speaking of my X Title, there’s one thing that needs to be addressed. Trixie Bordeaux has been carrying this thing around since the King of the Deathmatch Tournament.”

Tommy holds the X Title over his head to the crowd, and looks at it with a hint of disgust.

Tommy Bedlam: “Unfortunately, she made this title mean next to nothing. Which is why this title is not worthy to be defended anymore. This belt, this thing that is supposed to be a symbol of greatness, is now a piece of shit. So with that…”

Tommy tosses the X Title out of the ring unceremoniously.

Tommy Bedlam: “Rocco and I are proud to present to you, well, to me, as a trophy for my award-winning performance at Back in Business, the NEW FWA X CHAMPIONSHIP!”

Rocco pulls out a large box and hands it to Tommy, who unveils a new FWA X Title, a black belt with a giant chrome X on the front of it. Rocco straps the belt around Tommy’s waist as Bedlam makes his way back toward the podium.



Tommy Bedlam: “Now, there is some bad news. As some of you know, I competed at Back in Business without being medically cleared. That was a risk I was willing to take, but after meeting with Rocco and my doctors, I don’t think it’s something I should continue doing. This means that I won’t be wrestling on Fallout. Unlike last time, I’m not relinquishing my X Title. I can’t run the risk of someone like that dumb bitch Trixie winning it again. So I’m going to take the X Title with me and I’ll defend it once I’m cleared for acti-”

Jon Russnow:”Tommy, Tommy, Tommy. As much as it pains me to admit this, what you did at Back in Business was…impressive. But there’s one problem with this entire little award show that you’ve put together for yourself. First, calling your boss, the guy who signs your checks, a spineless worm, not the smartest move. With that in mind, yes, your ass is going to be in the ring on Fallout against Ton Tonton J.J. JI!”

The crowd roars its approval as Tommy and Rocco look furious in the ring.

Tommy Bedlam: “Not. Medically. Cleared, Russnow! You can’t just stick me in a match because I hurt your feelings. You didn’t want me to fight at Back in Business, but I did it against doctors’ advice. I’m not going to keep risking my future because you’re insecure.”

Jon Russnow: “That’s the thing, Bedlam. You are medically cleared. The doctors who didn’t clear you before Back in Business saw you win three matches in two nights and they’ve decided that you’re more than able to go this week on Fallout. Tommy Bedlam, Ton Tonton J.J. JI! You’re not getting out of this one.”

Russnow walks back through the entrance at the top of the ramp as Tommy stomps around the ring with his new X Title as Rocco tries to calm him down.



Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: ”The following match is scheduled for one fall with a twenty-minute-time-limit!”

[”Sabotage” || Beastie Boys.]

Sawyer Xavier steps out on stage to a positive reception from the sold out crowd in the nation’s capital, and Sawyer doesn’t waste a moment as he sprints down to the ring…

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: ”Introducing first, from Savannah, GA and weighing in at one hundred & ninety-nine lbs…he is The Impractical Underdog…Sawyer Xavier!”

Sawyer hops off the top turnbuckle after briefly glancing out at the crowd before removing his entrance gear, and he begins to loosen himself up before his opponent comes out…

Rod Sterling: ”Sawyer Xavier is coming off a loss at Back in Business at the hands of Princess Nova. After the match there was a strange occurrence when a different looking Keres came out to profess her love for Sawyer, but much to her chagrin, the feelings were not mutual…”

Anzu Kurosawa: ”Sawyer is looking to put his run ins with Eternal in the rear view, and now he’s still trying to find his place in FWA and tonight could be his night with a win where he can earn himself a shot at the X Championship”

[”you should see me in a crowd” || Halocene.]]

The crowd is unsure of how to react due to the unfamiliar music, but start to immediately boo when they see the name “The Queen Bee” Blair Ravenwood in large gold lettering on the video screen. Eventually, Blair Ravenwood saunters out on stage and she’s joined by FWA legend Saint Sully. Blair is dressed in a queen’s robe and wears a crown on her head, and she shares a kiss with Sully on stage before the couple makes their way down to the ring.

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: ”and his opponent, being accompanied by Saint Sully, from Lockhaven, PA and weighing in at 127 lbs…she is The Queen Bee…Blair Ravenwood!”

Rod Sterling: ”Here’s someone else that didn’t have a great night at Back in Business. Despite coming up short in the Coven Civil War and having to watch her sister Celestia get brutalized by Trixie Bordeaux to the point that Celestia had to be stretchered out of the building, and is currently laid up in a hospital bed, Blair got the last laugh when she instrumental in Trixie losing the X Championship to Tommy Bedlam…”

Anzu Kurosawa: ”Something was woken up inside of Blair and she’s taken on this new persona with her new beau, Saint Sully, at her side. Now, she has an opportunity to earn the right to fight for the X title, but first she must get through Sawyer Xavier.”

Rod Sterling: ”I can only begin to imagine the emotions flowing through Blair right now after she had to helplessly watch Trixie put her sister in a coma. She wants nothing more than to put an end to Trixie after putting a nail in the coffin of the Coven for good, and with Saint Sully at her side, knowing what kind of mind games and other tricks he’s known for, who knows what Blair is capable of doing in her current mindset.”

Referee Grace-Lynn Guerrero checks both competitors, Blair looks annoyed at the referee just doing her job and then the bell is called for…




Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: ”Here is your winner…The Queen Bee…Blair Ravenwood!!!”

Rod Sterling: ”That was a decisive victory for Blair Ravenwood…I don’t think she’s done though!”

Blair doesn’t have her arm raised and instead she starts to stalk her prey once more before she brings Sawyer up in a front facelock…RKO! Royal Knockout!

Rod Sterling: ”Royal Knockout! Shades of the man at ringside, who is all smiles and now he’s sliding in two steel chairs…this can’t be good!”

Blair lays Sawyer’s head face down on one chair while she raises the other steel chair high up and then brings it down! She continues this relentless assault with the chair! Again and again until more referees and other personnel arrive on the scene to break it up!

Rod Sterling: ”You weren’t kidding when you said something was woken up inside of Blair, Anzu! What Trixie did to Celestia Ravenwood has caused Blair to snap and become more vicious than ever before!”

Anzu Kurosawa: ”That was clearly a message to Trixie and for anyone else that gets in Blair’s way.”

Saint Sully enters the ring now with Blair’s crown and he demands that referee Grace-Lynn Guerrero place the crown on Blair’s head. The referee is hesitant while Saint Sully and Blair both berate her; she reluctantly places it on Blair’s head and then she’s instructed to raise Blair’s hand in victory. Blair then shoos her away and she begins to makeout with Saint Sully over the broken body of Sawyer Xavier, who is being tended to by medical personnel.

Rod Sterling: ”Blair Ravenwood is now the number one contender for X Championship but at what cost? Folks, we’re going get some order restored, and then we’ll be back with more action so stay tuned…”






Ambiance



Along a path with paper lanterns, torii gates stand tall in the forest. Fires crackle in the night and crickets chirp. A nearby stream runs along.

And the boots of a woman step on the path, creating a slight cracking sound with each time she plants her foot. In her hands is a familiar wrestling mask. One with fox ears, some tufts of ‘fur’ around the cheeks. Half of the mask is black with trims of purple. The other is white and red, more traditional of a design for Katsu with the patterns crossing over each section. Katsu is in casual clothes, face not seen by the camera, with her long dark hair down. At the end of the path, a shrine with a firepit. Various markings are around it, six different statues.

There is the expected kitsune. A fox with nine tails flowing behind it. Next to it the figure of a beautiful woman in a tight fitting kimono dress. Alluring. Under her are spiders. Jorōgumo. Across from it, a weasel with sickles for hands. A real trickster, a Kamaitachi. On the opposite side is a dragon. A traditional creature with wings. In the back is a doll-like creature sitting on a gravestone. Living in it, a hinnagami. A creature who takes and takes. Then, a demon-like monster. Namahage.

Music

As music begins to play. The video has a voice over of Kurt Harrington from Back in Business as there is a cross-dissolve of him holding the prize up high.

Kurt Harrington (Voice Over): ”Here is your winner….and the NEW FWA North American champion… Cyrus Truth!”

Then, Katsu getting beat up earlier in the night, leaving her with no strength to save Gabrielle from a loss-

Natalie Rosenberg (Voice Over): "Here are your winners… Trevor Ocean and Alejandro Giunti!!"

Katsu’s hand tightens around her mask as she turns it around to put it on her head.

She is sent over the top rope by Krash.

Kurt Harrington (Voice Over): “Ladies and gentlemen… your winner of the 2024 CARNAL CONTENDERSHIP… KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

As Katsu hits Nightfall on Alyster Black, Chris Peacock comes in to make the save on his tag team partner before the two combine for a Powerbomb-LungBlower Combo, the Load Blower.

Allen Price (Voice Over): “They call that move the Load Blower!! It is over for Katsu now, people!”

Then… something which has stung this woman for years.

Never able to get what was taken from her. From "Back in Town."

Kurt Harrington (Voice Over): “The winner of the match…and NEW TV Champion…Shawn Summers!”

Speaking in her native tongue, the camera shows her mouth move, her mask on her head. On the screen, there is a translation of what she is saying.

Katsu (Translation): “I can look at how far I have come since first coming to America and feel pride.”

There is a shot comparing Katsu at the beginning of her time in FWA, as Vampyra. The dark entrance was replaced with the cherry blossoms, the light heart, as the Kitsune Warrior. Interacting with the fans more, feeling herself grow a connection to them. The camera goes behind her.

Katsu (Translation): “At least, that's what people tell me. They say we should be happy in a world where no one can reach their dreams, but in the end-”

Looking to the side, the Kitsune Warrior mutters.

Katsu (Translation): “I feel shame. I feel sick."
The camera flashes over the fire to Katsu walking backstage after her Back in Business match, unseen by cameras on the feed. She high fives a couple younger fans, but her head is down.

Katsu (Translation): “Each time I fail, it repeats in my mind. It becomes an obsession…”

Looking up, Katsu takes a deep breath.

Katsu (Translation): “And I could withdraw myself from everything and hide, but I can’t. Now, there is no other choice. ‘Close’ is not good enough!”

The fire from the pit shoots up. The camera zooms across to see, on a string with lanterns, the pictures of the five Katsu stepping into the Steel Roulette with. Gabrielle. Shawn Summers. Cyrus Truth. Alejandro Giunti, Mike Parr. She has had some level of interaction with all of them and most of them, at one point or another, had gotten one over on her, or otherwise she has shared the ring with.

Walking around the pit, the sparkles on her mask give off a slight glow thanks to the raging flame. Her coloured contacts show one eye gold, the other purple.

Katsu (Translation): “I am not a champion…”

Cyrus holding up the FWA North American Championship is seen on the screen along with Alejandro celebrating with his newly formed trio. Footage from Japan shows Katsu being driven head first into the canvas at Korakuen Hall and her opponent holding up a championship title with a white strap on it.

Katsu (Translation): “I don't have a Hall of Fame worthy career…”

Mike Parr with his many record breaking runs as North American Champion. Gabrielle, after she was busted open and beaten down, is handed her Hall of Fame ring after she saves her friend from an Eternal nightmare.

Stopping, even with her mask, you can see a feeling of anger in her.

Katsu (Translation): “Or am someone who thrives on hate and knows how to use it for attention.”

Shawn Summers and his many actions. Laying Katsu out as she was then known as Vampyra, beating the now Hall of Fame bound Phillip A. Jackson, attacking Tommy Bedlam’s family, toying with MvH before Michelle finally snaps at Back in Business.

Katsu (Translation): “But right now, FWA needs me.”

There is a long shot of the fire. Appearing gently on the screen, footage of the Back in Business Night two main event. Krash, in his effort to get the complete revenge on Best, ends up being burned and hit with Best’s GTS.

Katsu (Translation): “Even when the old flame turns to ashes, the Blazing Spirit continues to burn. I will not let that fire go out..”

Taking a long shot behind the fire, Katsu stands.

Katsu (Translation): “Every time life knocks me down…”

Appearing on the screen is a mix of footage from FWA and CJW. Her being beaten down as a rookie by a group of wrestlers, and then walking out the next week with a new darker mask. The one later known as Vampyra. Her getting tossed over the top rope early on in FWA in a battle royale. Her tossing aside her old mask. Standing on commentary in CJW, arm in a sling from her collarbone injury last year.

Katsu (Translation): “I'll find a way back into the fight-”

Katsu, hitting Nightfall (Her Phoenix Splash) on the woman who led the attack years later. Katsu’s first appearance in her new mask at Carnal Contendership 2023, entering the final four. To her rehabbing her shoulder with the camera recording from behind to hide her face and finally her returns, first wrestling in her hometown of Tokyo for the "Worlds Unite" event in all white, then walking down the aisle in Carnal Contendership and Back in Business.

Katsu (Translation): “In a world of cruelty, I may not be perfect…”

She smirks slightly, match highlights are seen, the rare moments Katsu gets aggressive. From hanging chokes in the ropes to hard strikes.

Katsu (Translation): “But I try to be a respected person.”

The growing respect and connection Katsu has to the fans, not just in FWA, but even at home. She is seen interacting with fans. Even an image of a young fan with a similar mask to Katsu and the wrestler taking a picture with them.

Katsu (Translation): “-Celebrate the fact we are unique…”

Katsu walks down the aisle in FWA with Cali and Ririko, two thirds of the original trio of YDS. Then, with REO and Miyu Kawamato. Katsu celebrates with REO in the ring as the younger sister of Ririko wins the Young Blood tournament, much like Katsu did. Then Miyu, dancing in her entrance before grabbing a barbed-wire bat. All friends different, but they share a bond and a dream.

Katsu (Translation): “And we are special.”

Some out of ring pictures. Cali with three lines painted on her cheek, pink, purple, and blue and Katsu giving her a thumbs up. Then it shows a picture the took a picture in New York, looking on from the Empire State building at the skyline.

Katsu (Translation): “And I know I am a special wrestler. I am the only one who can hold the torch not only for FWA but for the world.…”



Reaching on the ground, Katsu picks up a simple torch with a cylinder shape at the top. She lights it in the fire.

Katsu (Translation): “And the only way I can carry the torch is as champion.”

Turning to the side, Katsu looks at the pictures of the competitors she will be sharing the ring with at FWA Anniversary. Steel Roulette. She finally speaks in English.

Katsu: “It does not matter if I respect what you have done…”

Taking the flame, she lights the pictures of Cyrus and Gabrielle.

Katsu: “If you have done nothing wrong to me…”

Then to Mike Parr and Alejandro Giunti.

Her hand tightens on the torch.

Katsu: “Or I wish nothing but karma to come your way.”

She sticks the flame onto the picture of Shawn Summers, she really makes sure it is lit on fire.

Katsu: “I am not scared of the Steel Roulette. I am not scared of my flaws. I am not scared of failure.”

Holding the flame in front of her face, Katsu feels its warmth.

Katsu: “At FWA’s 19th Anniversary, I will be handed the torch…”

With a bite in her voice, she says.

Katsu: “Or I will use everything in my power to take it…”

Putting the torch down into the fire, flames shoot behind her forming the shape of nine kitsune tails as… the vignette finally cuts to black.






Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: ”The following match is scheduled for one fall with a twenty-minute-time-limit!”

[”A Cut Above” || Avery Watts.]

The crowd begins to cheer at the arrival of “The Prodigy” Mike Parr, who steps out on stage and cracks his neck and loosens some joints a bit before making his way down to the ring.

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: ”Introducing first, from Toronto, Canada, and weighing in at two-hundred & forty pounds…he is The Prodigy…MMMMMMIIIIKKKEEEE PPPPAAAAARRRRRRRRR!”

Rod Sterling: ”It was not the night at Back in Business that Parr would’ve liked, coming up short in another attempt to win back his coveted North American championship, a title synonymous with The Prodigy - but at Back in Business, it was Cyrus Truth coming out victorious in the four person match.”

Anzu Kurosawa: ”It has been a rough go for Parr as of late, so he’s definitely looking to get back on track here tonight.”

A focused Mike Parr makes his way down to the ring, electing not to high five any of the fans with their outstretched hands, and instead heads straight to the ring, climbing up the ring steps and enters the ring as he now awaits his opponent.

[”HERE COMES REVENGE” || METALLICA.]

The lights in the The National Mall go pitch black as the the guitar rifts and drums of Here Comes Revenge kick in. Purple strobe lights flicker and smoke fill the arena as a spotlight reveals Vengador now standing at the top of the stage.

The lights come back up to reveal Vengador is joined on the stage by Bobby Joel, sporting his cowboy hat and a shit eating grin.

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: "And his opponent, coming to us from the Realm of Despair, being accompanied to the ring by “The Dubb” Bobby Joel….. VENGADOR!"

Rod Sterling: ”It was also a night to forget for Vengador at Back in Business, who was competing in the X4, and came up short after a surprise entrance of Tommy Bedlam… or I suppose “Hollywood” Tommy Bedlam as he’s calling himself now.”

Anzu Kurosawa: ”We heard from Tommy earlier and he certainly didn’t mince words when it came to Vengador and from speaking with Bobby Joel earlier tonight, Vengador is hungry to get his hands on Tommy again for some payback… but first he has to get some wins, because as of late, much like Parr, he needs a win tonight to bounce back.”

Rod Sterling: ”Yeah and to think he joined forces with Bobby Joel with promises to turn his luck around, but that has not really been the case as of yet. But maybe that can change starting tonight.”

Despite recent lack of success, Bobby Joel is confident as ever as he leads the masked powerhouse down to the ring. Vengador slowly climbs up the steps and steps over the the top rope, staring down Parr as the match is about to get underway.



Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: ”Here is your winner…”The Prodigy” Mike Parr!”

The crowd voices their support of Prod as he pulls himself up to his feet, a look of satisfaction on his face as Tommy Palmer walks over to lift up his arm in victory.

Meanwhile, Vengador lies on the mat, clutching his ribs as Bobby Joel groggily recovers on the outside, realizing too late that his interference backfired.

Rod Sterling: "A big win here for Mike Parr tonight, perhaps getting him back on track toward regaining some gold here in FWA."

Anzu Kurosawa: "But for Vengador, this partnership with Bobby Joel continues to not be much of a benefit to the big man. One wonders how much pantience he may have with Joel, especially after tonight."

Vengador climbs out of the ring, regrouping with "The Dubb," and clearly is not happy though Joel defends himself, pointing out that Vengador was the one who hit him, after all! But in the ring, Parr gets his moment to celebrate his win as we fade out.




We cut backstage as Jeremy Best and Bryan Baxter make their way through the corridors of the building. Jeremy is still all smiles after reconciling with Baxter earlier in the evening. But tension quickly heated up as the duo come across one half of the FWA tag champions, Chris Peacock, backstage alongside Allen Price.

Jeremy Best: ”Well, hiya Chris!”

Peacock immediately is annoyed, and perhaps eager to punch Jeremy in the face, but with Baxter by his side and Alyster elsewhere, perhaps thinks better of it for now.
Chris Peacock: ”Fuck off, Jeremy. I don’t have time for your bullshit right now…”

Jeremy Best: ”Now, now… no need for such language. I don’t want to bother you… and I know you haven’t always seen eye to eye…”

Chris Peacock: ”That’s an understatement…”

Jeremy Best: ”But… I wanted to offer my condolences… on the loss of your brother.”

Peacock perks up, Allen Price appearing nervous as Peacock knows that whatever Jeremy is about to say is probably going to strike a nerve.

Chris Peacock: ”Walk away… right fucking now.”

Jeremy Best: ”Your brother was a good man, Chris. I am genuinely saddened by his passing. So much so that I’m going to dedicate our Buddy System efforts in this tag tournament to Drew Peacock.”

Chris Peacock: ”Fuck off, no you’re not.”

Jeremy Best: “Oh but Chris, it’s going to be my pleasure and an honor to win this tournament for Drew. As you may recall he was my tag partner in the Buddy Bowl… in his last match as a matter of fact. What an honor… to be able to say I was the last person to share the ring with him. To be able to call him my friend. Just be glad… and take comfort… that your brother got to experience one big win before he passed… and got to know what its like to have a friend in me.”

Having heard enough, Chris lunges at Jeremy, but is quickly intercepted by Bryan Baxter - although security quickly intervenes, pulling Peacock away.

Jeremy Best: “We’ll be seeing you and Aly soon, after we win this tournament! Bye bye for now, Chris!”

As Jeremy and Bryan walk away, Chris is left fuming while still being restrained by security.





A good cheer goes up as the now-former X Champion Trixie Bordeaux walks out from the back with a determined look on her face. After competing in three hellacious matches at Back in Business, there is some noticeable wear and tear but she seems to be fighting through any pain she may have from those bouts. Tonight is about something much bigger that will be worth the sacrifice and pain.

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: “The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a thirty minute time limit, and the winner will receive a shot at the FWA World Championship at Lights Out! Introducing first, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and weighing in at one-hundred and twenty pounds… TRIXIE BOOOOOOOORDEAAAAUXXXXX!!”

Rod Sterling: “Back in Business was a rollercoaster of emotions for this young woman, Anzu. Not only did her reign as X Champion end at the hands of Tommy Bedlam, but also The Coven. Trixie teamed up with Kleio De Santos to defeat the Ravenwood sisters… and Blair Ravenwood has certainly held a grudge there.”

Anzu Kurosawa: “Twitter has been rife with insults in recent weeks, but Trixie has to forget all about that now. This match is more important - victory means a one-on-one match for the FWA World Championship in a Pay-Per-View main event. She’s going to need all of her focus on her legendary opponent.”

Trixie rolls into the ring and nods her head in appreciation for the positive response from the fans, who seem to be back on her side following the Coven Civil War. Her music fades out and there is nothing else for her to do other than wait.

[Save Me || Lacuna Coil]

Another loud reaction, and the men make themselves heard as Gabrielle Montgomery walks out from the back with purpose, flanked by the individual known simply as The Gentleman. Having been through her own barbaric match at Back in Business, Gabrielle also seems slightly out of sorts. The Gentleman jabbers in her ear, giving her instructions. Taking these on, she performs a sexual pose which gets the crowd going even more.

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: Her opponent… from Auckland, New Zealand and weighing in at one-hundred and thirty-two pounds… FWA Hall of Famer… ‘The Goddess’... GABRIELLE MONTGOMMMMMMMMMMERRRYYYYYY!!!”

Anzu Kurosawa: “Troubled young women who were stuck in poisonous groups could become something of a speciality for Gabrielle tonight if she can overcome this obstacle. Defeating Lizzie Rose and freeing her from Eternal in that brutal Garden of Eden Match was revenge for three years ago for Gabrielle, defeating her former mentee once and for all.”

Rod Sterling: “Now, with that business dealt with, Gabrielle can realign her focus onto becoming the FWA World Champion for the third time. Jeremy Best waits for the winner of this one!”

Gabrielle gets into the ring and The Gentleman waits on the outside. She climbs the turnbuckle and poses once again to another loud ovation. Once she has dropped down, the referee sees no reason to keep everyone waiting… and calls for the bell!



Gabrielle’s music plays to a loud reaction from the crowd, although there are some jeers but these are not directed at the victor; instead Blair and Sully departing through the crowd garners the duo some negativity from the fans surrounding them. Trixie is laid out on the mat and Gabrielle is joined in the ring by The Gentleman, who lifts her up to her feet and raises her arm.

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: “Here is your winner… GABRIELLE MONTGOMERY!!!”

Rod Sterling: “It is official, ladies and gentlemen that Gabrielle will be the person challenging Jeremy Best for the FWA World Championship at Lights Out next month; can she capture that third FWA World Championship?”

Anzu Kurosawa: “I don’t know how happy she will be with the nature of her victory tonight, with outside forces working against Trixie Bordeaux. But Gabrielle did what she had to do, Rod. Those two were out here to cost her opponent, and as much as she might have hoped for a fair fight, I don’t think it would have been possible.”

Rod Sterling: “And well, going up against Jeremy Best and his goons, Gabrielle should get herself used to distractions and unfair advantages. Although this time they will be working in the favour of her opponent, not against them.”

Gabrielle exits the ring with The Gentleman with a smile on her face, happy that she has the chance to main event another Pay-Per-View. In the ring, Trixie Bordeaux sits up whilst holding the top of her head. She grits her teeth and shakes her head as we fade away…



[Greenback Boogie || Ima Robot]

The crowd comes unglued as the opening, bouncy beats of one of the most recognizable songs in FWA history blasts through the speaker system. Nearly everyone rises to their feet, the excitement levels reaching a new high at the unexpected development that promises to extend the night for the FWA Cosmos.

Rod Sterling: “Don’t change the channel just yet, folks! It appears our Saturday night isn’t ending with Gabrielle winning the right to challenge Jeremy Best for the FWA World Championship but rather an unannounced appearance from one of the men who lost in the Night One main event of Back in Business.”

The crowd’s cheering reaches a new level as a forlorn-looking Danny Toner walks out onto the stage. Despite the still-bruised face and the recently-stitched gash across his eye - battle scars from the war with FTN at Back in Business - the most striking thing about Danny Toner is the maroon 3-piece suit he is wearing. His hair is slicked back and the pointed black dress-shoes on his feet glimmer with a shine under the bright arena light of the National Mall. The formal look of Danny Toner prompts nervous glances between fans as Rod Sterling comments on his appearance from the booth.

Rod Sterling: “A very dapper looking Danny Toner tonight, Anzu, and while we have seen Danny scrub up in the past… this is unusual, right?”

Anzu Kurosawa: “It certainly goes against what we’ve come to expect from Toner. Maybe it’s because we’re in the capital? Maybe it’s due to this being a rare Meltdown appearance for Toner?”

Whatever the reason, it has certainly attracted remarks from the commentary team and those in the arena. There is a low buzz from the fans as Danny stops at the end of the ramp and looks around at all the fans, taking in the electric reaction from the Washington fans. He gets handed a microphone from a stage-hand as he whispers something to Katie-Lynn Goldsmith. She looks a little confused but he leans back in and whispers in her ear again. She pulls away and looks at him holding his gaze for a few seconds before sadly nodding her head. Danny climbs through the top and middle ropes and walks right into the center of the ring as Goldsmith does an out-of-place announcement charged with an extremely high level of gusto.

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: “Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming at this time… DAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNYYYYYYYYY-”

Danny punches the air with his free hand as the crowd all scream in unison.

FUCKING!!!

Katie-Lynn Goldsmith: “TOOOOOONERRRRRR!!!”

Katie-Lynn offers Danny a wry smile as Danny places his hands together in a prayer-like manner and mouths a “thank you” in the ring announcer’s direction. Danny paces around the ring for a few moments as the crowd try and calm themselves down.

Anzu Kurosawa: “I have seen very few people in an FWA ring garner this level of reaction through their sheer presence. He’s got his pros and cons, his highs and his lows, but Danny Toner is a pure enigma in the story of FWA.”

Rod Sterling: “No denying that, Anzu, though it seems for the first time… ever?... that Danny seems lost for words. He actually looks like he’s in pain.”

Ever a showboater, fans are used to Danny’s drawn out entrances and roundabout ways but even the most casual wrestling fan would be able to tell that this delay wasn’t intentional, Danny legitimately looks torn up as he struggles to bring the microphone to his lips. He stops in a corner and leans into it, his head resting against the turnbuckle as he closes his eyes. His body language is deflated as he turns around and brings the microphone to his lips… but words once again fail him.

DANNY!

DANNY!

DANNY FUCKING TONER!

Danny looks crestfallen as he looks out at the chanting fans.

DANNY!

DANNY!

DANNY FUCKING TONER!

Danny actually falls into a hunkered position in the middle of the ring, holding his mouth with both hands as the fans continue chanting his name, even louder this time.

DANNY!

DANNY!

DANNY FUCKING TONER!

Danny takes a deep breath and pops up to his feet, rapidly bringing the microphone to his mouth and uttering one word.

Danny Toner: “Yo.”

The fans erupt as Danny musters up that one word, it has a greater effect than you would think on Danny, as if that one word was enough to begin oiling his vocal chords and giving him the strength to continue.

Danny Toner: “A cuppa Saturday’s ago… I competed in the main event of Back in Business… again. That’s three in a row for those countin’.”

Rod Sterling: “Of course that doesn’t include last year’s Back in Business event where Danny Toner was injured and not cleared to compete.”

Danny looks over in the direction of the commentary booth and although he can’t hear what they’re saying, he has been a fixture of FWA for so long now that he knows every beat of how the staff operate and can take an educated guess as to what’s being said.

Danny Toner: “I’m sure Rod’s over there doin’ some fact-correctin’ or puttin’ a little asterisk next to what I just said.”

This draws a small round of laughter from sections of the crowd as Anzu and Rod himself laugh loudly on commentary. Danny smiles a bit, feeling himself getting into his flow.

Danny Toner: “All jokes aside, ya know what I’m sayin’, dontcha? Spin it any way you like but the point remains the same: Dizzy Tizzy’s been at the top of this game for the last five years. I’ve the accolades to back it up and I’ve created moments that will live on long after I’m gone.”

The crowd starts to quieten down a little bit, sensing the sombreness of the situation for the first time.

Danny Toner: “If you’d have told me when I was curtain-jerkin’ on Smash back in 2014 that ten years from now I’d have won the biggest Carnal Contendership ever… multiple Tag Team Championships… main evented Back in Business three freakin’ times… been champion of the world… I’da asked ya for some of that fuckin’ kush you were puffin’ on.”

Pockets of laughter from the crowd once again but it is more subdued, most everybody is growing concerned with the general direction of this promo.

Danny Toner: “But it happened. It really freakin’ happened. As fairytale as it sounds… it was motherfuckin’ real. It was me. I did it. And I did it on my own terms, my way, the Danny fuckin’ Toner way. I’ve done a LOT of shit over the last ten years. Some of it good. Some of it bad. All of it… special. I don’t regret a freakin’ thing I’ve done in this career because if I changed one single moment of the last ten years then… then Danny Toner wouldn’t be Danny Toner. I am who I am and I make absolutely no apology for that; I wouldn’t change it for the world. I ain’t sayin’ that I haven’t felt shitty about things or that I haven’t felt guilty but… at the end of the day… you get what you get with ol’ D-T. I shoot straight from the hip and right now… right now it’s time for me to shoot straighter than I ever fuckin’ have before so I need every single person in Washington to hold on to their seats. I need every single person watchin’ at home to crank the volume up on this bitch. I need every single person who gives a shit about professional wrestling to listen to what I have to say… and trust me, while I usually love comin’ out here and talkin’... I fuckin’ hate doin’ this.”

A silence falls over the Washington crowd, a silence that extends to even the commentary team as Danny looks down at the canvas of the ring. Ten seconds pass… twenty… thirty. Danny looks up directly into the hard camera.

Danny Toner: “I came back to join Randy Ramon and defend the FWA World Tag Team Championships because I didn’t want to see the division I had bled, sweat, and cried over for a decade fall into the wrong hands. FTN… they ain’t the wrong hands. They deserved to win. They deserve to be champions. They’re ready to be the standard bearers of the FWA tag team division. They’re ready to be the standard bearers of the FWA period. We’ve got Jeremy Best - hold up, honestly, hear me out - flyin’ the flag alongside guys like Krash and Summers and Baxter. We’ve got a Gabrielle resurgence, guys like Tommy Bedlam and Brooklyn Steiner breakin’ through to the upper echelons. There’s even rumors afoot of a not-so-friendly Unc’ been spotted hangin’ around backstage. We’ve still got the ever-present, core of the FWA’s strength, Michelle von Horrowitz, firin’ on all cylinders. FWA is in a great freakin’ place, that’s the gospel truth. It’s in one hell of a place and you know what I’ve realized since Back in Business? I’ve realized… I don’t have a place. I don’t need a place. Ten years… a decade of bein’ a name on everybody's lips… a decade of bein’ one of the most talked about wrestlers of all time… a decade of success… the best freakin’ decade of my life… but…”

The fans are starting to scream down to Danny from the rafters and ringside seats. The general consensus seems to be a “NO!!” of some sort but Danny just smiles and nods his head.

Danny Toner: “Buuuuut… I don’t need to take anything anymore. I’ve given the FWA every freakin’ thing I’ve got, every ounce of me has been poured into this thing and ya know what? I’ve gotten a HELL of a lot back. Way more than a flimsy, good-for-nothin’ little conman from New York City ever deserved. I’ve taken enough… and I ain’t gonna take no more. I’ve had this idea that the FWA needs Danny Toner, that it will never be the same without me… but I’ve seen now that the FWA has thrived whether I’m here or not… that I’m not the best in the world any more. That the FWA doesn’t need me.”

YES WE DO!

YES WE DO!

YES WE DO!

The fans chant in unison - their message loud and clear - but Danny holds up his hand to get them to quieten down.

Danny Toner: “From the bottom of my heart… I appreciate ya so freakin’ much, but trust me… ya don’t need Danny Toner. The FWA doesn’t need Danny Toner. I’ve come to terms with it… and I need ya all to as well because, well… this is it. I ain’t gonna waste any more time than I’ve already took up and I ain’t gonna stand here listin’ off thank-yous to the whole freakin’ list of people that deserve ‘em cuz… cuz I’d pretty much have to thank any cat that’s ever been associated with the FWA in the last decade… so I’m gonna get right down to it. On the 10th of August, 2024 at Back in Business in my hometown of New York City… I wrestled my last match ever.”

Rod Sterling: “WHAT!?”

Anzu Kurosawa: “Danny… no…”

The crowd erupts into a frenzy, the booing in the arena so loud that it feels as if the National Mall will cave in on itself. Danny looks like he has actual tears in his eyes as he croakily pleads with the crowd.

Danny Toner: “Please… please don’t make this any harder than it is. It fuckin’ killed me makin’ this decision but… but it’s a decision I had to make. It’s time for me to stop gettin’ into fights, stop rilin’ everybody up, stop putin’ my body through the wringer. It’s time to stop hurtin’. Hurtin’ others and hurtin’ me. It’s time to step aside, I’ve been in the spotlight for way longer than I deserve. It’s time… it’s time.”

The crowd - out of pure respect - falls silent. A camera pan of the arena shows everybody in shellshock. People look physically ill. Grown men have tears rolling down their faces. Danny takes a deep breath and looks out at the adoring fans around him.

Danny Toner: “Ladies and gentlemen… I was born Daniel Francis Toner… you all made me Danny Fuckin’ Toner. Daniel, Danny… call it whatever which way you want… fuckin’ ME… I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I thank every single person for lettin’ me do this beautiful, beautiful dance. That dance has come to an end. I want to formally and officially announce my retirement from the FWA and professional wrestling as a whole. Thank you so much. I love you all.”

The crowd starts out by booing but that quickly turns to light clapping that soon encapsulates the whole arena. Every single person in the arena are on their feet - including the commentary team, the ringside team, the camera people - clapping their hands in recognition of the legendary, decade-long career of Danny Toner.

[He’s The Greatest Dancer || Sister Sledge]

The crowd pops loudly - spurred on by, perhaps, hope - as Chris Peacock comes bursting down the ramp. He is dressed extremely casually, has not got his FWA World Tag Team Championship with him, and ignores the outstretched hands of the fans around him. Peacock gets a microphone and gets right into the ring and walks straight up to Danny.

Chris Peaock: “What the fuck are you doing, man?”

The crowd pops loudly.

Chris Peacock: “Retiring? Retiring? Like this? You’ve gotta be kidding me, man. This isn’t some Devin Golden shit, you’re Danny Toner. Danny FUCKING Toner.

DANNY!

DANNY!

DANNY FUCKING TONER!

Chris Peacock: “You don’t waltz out here and go out like this, are you shitting me? This is the most un-you shit I’ve ever seen! Danny, man, you’ve so much left to give, I was just across from you in the ring at Back in Business… you absolutely still have every ounce of your being left inside you. You are STILL you. You’re still the cat that’s ripped it to shreds for the last five years and you’re still the cat that can do it for five fucking more. At the absolute least. Danny, come on man, what are you doing here? Don’t jack it in, man, you’ve so much left in the tank. I’ve seen one guy I love throw it all away before and… and… I don’t want to see another do the same thing. Don’t do it, Danny, don’t do us like this.”

Chris pulls the microphone from his mouth but continues the conversation off-mic with a pained-looking Danny Toner. Chris gets rather animated and even shoves Danny in a “come on, you got this!” manner but Danny just sadly shakes his head.

Danny Toner: “Chris I appreciate you, G, but, it’s done. It’s over. Nothin’ is gonna change my freakin’ mind. I’m sorry… but it’s over.”

[Comfortably Numb || Pink Floyd]

Despite the gravity of the situation the fans absolutely lose their minds as a very familiar (but not heard in a long time) theme tune blasts through the arena. The crowd explodes as Rod Sterling goes into overdrive on commentary.

Rod Sterling: “DO NOT CHANGE THE CHANNEL! The show after Back in Business always offers up surprises but this is HUGE! You aren’t seeing things, that is FWA Hall of Famer NOVA DIAMOND walking out onto the stage here in Washington.”

The crowd sings along to Comfortably Numb as Nova Diamond strides out onto the ramp and makes a direct bee-line for the ring. The crowd’s huge buzz dissipates as they are swung back to the reality of what is unfolding in the ring. Nova fistbumps Chris and requests the microphone, he turns around and stares straight at Danny.

Nova Diamond: “Now now Danny, you’re seriously being a goofy goober here, mate. What are you doing? Really? Seriously? For real? You’re retiring? Now? When you’re at the top of your game. In your prime. No offense, but who does that?”


A flicker of anger across the eyes of Danny as he spits out.

Danny Toner: “YOU fuckin’ done that.”

Nova smirks and nods his head.

Nova Diamond: “Fair enough, that’s true… I accept that. That’s precisely the reason why though, that it’s kind of hard to see Danny Fucking Toner go out the same way Nova Diamond did. Look here, the wrestling world isn’t exactly hush-hush about what goes on backstage so I’m not going to pretend that our relationship doesn’t exist, Danny. Every reporter and fan worth their salt know that you and I are friends. That particular veil is thin enough that you even graced my Hall of Fame induction with a speech of your own.”

Nova shrugs.

Nova Diamond: “It wouldn’t even be untoward to call us best friends if that’s the kind of thing you go for. Our paths have very rarely crossed in the FWA but… what am I getting at is… back there behind the curtain… we got each other. Big time. Right?”

Danny nods and mouths “obviously”.

Nova Diamond: “Then if you’re not gonna listen to Disco over here, listen to fucking me. Do. Not. Retire. You’re going to regret it, man, trust me.”

Danny smiles sadly at Nova and even nods his head at Chris who had his hand on Nova’s shoulder encouraging him in his words.

Danny Toner: “Unfortunately, Nova, I’d regret it more if I didn’t. I love you both for doing this but… I’ve got nothin’ left to give. Danny Toner is finished… please… please let me go out on my own terms.”

Chris and Nova both look like they want to argue further with Toner but after a brief conversation between them and a glance at the look of determination in Danny’s eyes, they finally yield and nod their head, signaling their unhappy approval. Danny mouths a thanks and brings the microphone up to his lips.

Danny Toner: “Now hit my music one last fuckin’ time.”

[Greenback Boogie || Ima Robot]

Danny raises a fist in the air as the crowd explodes in appreciative cheers.

Rod Sterling: “A true legend of the FWA calling time on a truly remarkable career.”

Anzu Kurosawa: “This man is surely going down as one of the most infamous wrestlers of all time, anybody that ever has anything to do with professional wrestling will know the name Danny Toner.”

Danny steps up on each turnbuckle, raising a fist and getting a loud cheer each time. He hops down off the final one and slaps the middle of the canvas of the ring with an almighty bang with his open hand. He nods at Nova and Chris and turns around to take his leave from the ring. As he steps away towards the back for the last time, Chris Peacock grabs him by his arm AND THE CROWD GASPS AS PEACOCK PULLS TONER BACK IN FOR A HUG! The crowd cheers loudly at this display between the two New Yorkers.

Rod Sterling: “A mirror image of the ending of Back in Business Night One, and some would argue a fitting image to signal the end of Danny Toner’s storied career.”

The two men hold the embrace and Danny seems to be saying something only Chris can hear. The two men finally let go of the embrace and Danny Toner KICKS CHRIS PEACOCK RIGHT BETWEEN THE LEGS!!!

Rod Sterling: “...”

Anzu Kurosawa: “...”

Peacock’s eyes widen as soon as Toner’s foot makes contact with the low blow. The crowd gasps in horror as in near-slow motion, Peacock crumples forward, only being prevented from dropping to the canvas by a rushing Nova Diamond who interjects himself between Danny and Chris and breaks his fall. Nova holds Peacock up and without even glancing at Danny Toner mouths something off-mic that is loud enough to be picked up.

Nova Diamond: “Mate… I think we both know what’s going to happen now.”

Nova raises his right hand AND SMASHES PEACOCK IN THE FACE WITH HIS HALL OF FAME RING!!!

Rod Sterling: “Why…?”

Rod’s question goes unanswered as Nova once again rams his Hall of Fame ring into the forehead of Peacock, a sickening spurt of blood shooting from Disco’s furrowed brow. This, this is when all hell breaks loose and the crowd starts raining down the boos. It is also when Danny Toner sheds the top half of his suit, waistcoat and shirt combo and begins laying in boot after boot to the downed Chris Peacock. Nova isn’t shy about it either and the two men trample all over Peacock in unrelenting fashion, alternating rapid stomp after rapid stomp.

Rod Sterling: “What the hell is happening? What’s going on!? Nova and Danny are assaulting Peacock like men possessed!”

Anzu Kurosawa: “I think Danny may have misled us slightly about his retirement… this looks planned. Barbarically planned. Someone needs to get Chris out of there immediately, these guys are fixing to do some real damage.”

Indeed Danny and Nova’s attack is extremely blunt; they are literally stamping over every part of Peacock’s downed, motionless body, trying to inflict as much bodily harm as possible.

Rod Sterling: “Stop this! STOP IT! HE’S NOT MOVING! TONER YOU FUCKING BASTARD!!!”

The most uncouth and unprofessional language likely to ever escape the lips of Rod Sterling but such is the horror that he is witnessing in a Meltdown ring. Particularly angry fans begin to try and push forward through the crowd but come to a sudden halt.

[Sonne || Rammstein]

The fans cheer loudly and Anzu voices what everyone is thinking.

Anzu Kurosawa: “HURRY, ALYSTER!!!”

Alyster sprints out onto the stage and there is a bit of a commotion as it seems some fans have indeed succeeded in getting to the front of the crowd and hopping the guardrail. Alyster runs down the ramp and runs STRAIGHT INTO AN OVERHEAD CHOP FROM A GARGANTUAN MAN!!! Fans gasp a little as a near 7-foot Asian man stands over Alyster Black, long-term viewers of the FWA know the giant enforcer as Jhunha. Black is quick to his feet and goes to run at Jhunha but somebody else comes flying over the guardrail and takes him to the ground with a mid-air spear. The young man begins raining down punches on Alyster Black. The man stops and a recognizable face lets out a guttural roar.

Anzu Kurosawa: “What the hell!?!?”

Rod Sterling: “THAT’S JAY KENNY!!!”

Anzu Kurosawa: “What the hell happened to his teeth and what the hell is he doing here!?”

Rod Sterling: “What’s Jhunha doing here!?”

As Jay roars the camera picks up what Anzu was referring to: where once there were two rows of straight, white teeth… There is now nothing but gum. Not a tooth in his head. Jay goes to punch Alyster again as Danny and Nova continue the Peacock onslaught in the ring, but Alyster catches the punch and headbutts Jay from a grounded position. He quickly thumbs Jay in the eye and before Jhunha can get his hands on him, he kicks him swiftly in the balls - the great, time-old equalizer when facing a man that is seven foot tall. Black quickly sets about getting to the ring after being unexpectedly diverted by Jay Kenny and Jhunha - and it’s just as well too because Nova and Danny have stripped Peacock down to his trunks and there is a horrific amount of red welts on Disco’s body from the attack. Black finally gets to the ring and goes to slide in but gets… stuck? Black suddenly falls as he gets to the ring apron and wriggles to get up. He can audibly be heard saying “WHAT THE FUCK?!” before looking down to see he is trapped by way of a man rolling out of the ring and wrapping their arms around his ankles… well… kind of a man.

It’s Traffic Cone #2. And he is clinging onto Alyster Black’s legs for dear life to prevent him stopping Danny and Nova’s beatdown of Peacock.

Rod Sterling: “This is complete madness, this is crazy! Somebody needs to get some order out here and for the love of God can somebody PLEASE get Peacock out of that ring with those two lowlifes!?”

Black tries to wriggle free as Nova drags Peacock to one corner of the ring and motions for Toner to do something. Toner has a sickening smile on his face as the crowd repeatedly chants.

NO!

NO!

NO!

NO!

NO!

Toner laughs aloud as Anzu clues in to what is happening on commentary.

Anzu Kurosawa: “Rod… I think Danny’s bringing back a move from his old arsenal.”

Rod Sterling: “Surely not? Surely Danny won’t stoop that low! He’s been banned from using that move for YEARS!”

Anzu Kurosawa: “Look at these two guys in the ring, they don’t look like they give a damn about what they are allowed do.”

Rod Sterling: “Danny… if you have a heart…”

Danny spits over the top rope at a section of particularly riled up fans before charging at Peacock, looking to unleash the first Danny Toner-punt kick in over 6 years. He is halfway across the ring when a theme song blasts out that makes him stop dead in his tracks.

[Just Close Your Eyes || Waterproof Blonde]

Arguably the loudest pop of the night as bonafide FWA legend Ryan Rondo comes sprinting out in Washington.

Anzu Kurosawa: “THIS IS CRAZY! THIS IS INSANE! RYAN FREAKING RONDO LIVE ON MELTDOWN!!!”

Rod Sterling: “We haven’t seen The Amazing One in over a year, the last time we saw him, he powerbombed Danny Toner off the damn stage! AND HE’S FIXING TO DO IT AGAIN! GET HIM RYAN! GET HIM!!!”

Toner drops to his knees in despair, the sight of his former best friend turned bitter nemesis appearing to help Peacock and Black draining Toner of all his muster. Nova runs over and tries to snap Danny out of it but can only watch on as Rondo pulls Traffic Cone #2 off Black and fires the cone-shaped man up the ramp towards the recovering Jhunha and Jay. He offers Alyster a hand and the crowd pops as Alyster takes Rondo’s assistance in helping him up. The two men look at each other, nod, and then slide straight into the ring looking to take down Nova and Danny. Nova bundles Danny out of the ring under the bottom rope and Rondo narrowly misses taking Nova’s head off, his vicious right foot kick missing by inches and colliding with the bottom rope of the ring. Alyster quickly makes a move to run past Rondo and chase Toner and Nova to the outside but Rondo puts a hand on his shoulder from behind to stop him and barks “Check on Chris.” Reluctantly, Alyster nods and gives Nova and Danny middle fingers before turning around RIGHT INTO AN AMAZING-KO!!! The whole arena falls silent as Rondo slams Black right into the mat. Nova and Danny are immediately back in the ring and this time, three of them set on Alyster like feral hyenas.

Anzu Kurosawa: “Ryan… no…”

Rod Sterling: “He’s one of them! He’s in on it! They’re all freaking in on it and this absolutely disgusts me. Look, Anzu, look at the mess they’re making of Black! This guy simply tried to help his friend and these three… these three… these three EVIL sons of bit-”

Anzu Kurosawa: “I know, Rod, I know!”

Rod Sterling: “It’s making me sick to my stomach. I can’t watch this.”

It’s not long before Alyster’s a crumpled mess, his mask ripped in half and eagle-spread on the ground. Danny picks Alyster up and shoves him towards Nova Diamond who obliterates him with a 24K Kick. Black is immediately dragged to his feet by Rondo who throws him towards Danny, right into an Equalizer. Nova holds the knocked-out Alyster Black up to allow Ryan Rondo deliver one more Amazing KO before the three unceremoniously dump Black out of the ring over the top rope. Trash has begun to rain down on from the stands in the National Hall and security are too busy trying to keep the baying fans from getting to the ring than to try and stop what is going on inside it. Danny grabs a microphone.

Danny Toner: “Now… where the fuck was I? Oh, that’s right… I was about to punt this sloppy little disco bitch right in the fuckin’ skull. Boys.”

The crowd are going apeshit as Rondo and Nova drag Peacock into a prime position for a punt-kick. The crowd are close to rioting as Danny laughs manically, taking several steps back.

Rod Sterling: “Please, no.”

Anzu Kurosawa: “Danny, think about this, don’t- DANNY, NO!!!”

Danny sprints at Peacock and boots him right in the head with one of the most sickening thuds ever captured on FWA programming. Peacock spasms a little on the ground as the crowd reach fever pitch levels of hatred. Danny immediately drops to the ground and begins slapping Peacock in the face as Nova and Rondo knuckle-touch in the middle of the ring. Nova drops down and begins dry-humping the back of Peacock’s head and giving the middle fingers to the crowd as Danny and Ryan stare at each other in the ring, face to face for the first time since Rondo powerbombed Toner off the stage, causing him to miss Back in Business. Danny flinches first, a little flicker of a smirk appearing on his lips which prompts Rondo to break into a full fit of laughter before hugging Danny to a massive chorus of booing.

Rod Sterling: “This is absolutely vile. I don’t think I’ve ever been as disgusted in my professional career. You know what? Cut this shit. Don’t give these scumbags the time of day - CAN SOMEONE IN THE BACK CUT THIS PLEASE?”

Nova stops dry-humping Peacock and grabs Rondo and Danny to point at Rod Sterling who is standing up from his commentary seat and motioning to the back by running his hand across his neck, telling them to cut the feed. The trio in the ring look at each other and begin scrambling for something as the Meltdown logo appears in the bottom right-hand corner of the television screen signaling the end of possibly the most sickening segment in Meltdown’s history…………………………………………………….

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Danny Toner: “Don’t you even fuckin’ THINK about cuttin’ this feed!!!”

Danny Toner manages to get his hands on a microphone and the crowd boos.

Rod Sterling: “...are we still live?? Someone cut the goddamn feed!”

Sterling groans, and Anzu curses on commentary as it appears the feed has not been cut. Instead, the feed actually cuts to the back to somewhere backstage, and a camera hurriedly striding through the backstage area. The camera shot exits the backstage ramp to a loading dock area of a parking lot, where a large black and orange production truck adorned with the FWA logo and profiles of Jeremy Best, Chris Peacock, Alyster Black, Michelle Van Horrowitz, Randy Ramon, and Cyrus Truth is parked, a myriad of wires running from the truck to the arena interior. On the steps to the entrance of the production truck, we see TC#2 has chained himself to the truck door and the railing, effectively blocking the door from being opened with his body.

Rod Sterling: “Dear god, what am I even watching right now…”

Anzu Kurosawa: “Did he… run from the ramp to the truck??”

As FWA backstage security and the camera tries to get close to him, TC#2 kicks out at them with his free legs.

TC#2: “STAY BACK!!!! ALL OF YOU!!! BACK I SAY!!!! WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED, WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED!!!! THE ONLY WAY YOU STOP THIS LIBERATION BROADCAST IS BY SAWING ME IN HALF!!! I SHALL NOT YIELD!!!!”

One of the security guards gets a hold of TC#2’s white bootie, causing TC#2 to wildly flail around.

TC#2: “NO!!!!!! GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!! WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED!!! UNHAND ME YOU CORPORATE HACK!!! GENTLEMEN, THIS IS DEMOCRACY MANIFEST!!!!”

As TC#2 succeeds in kicking away the security guard, the camera suddenly cuts away from the outside camera to what appears to be a grainier, much more low quality camera. After a few moments of shuffling and still hearing TC#2 complimenting the security guard’s judo knowledge, albeit from a more muffled tone, we see that the new camera shot is emitting from a camera inside the production truck, sitting idle on the console while a pair of hands makes adjustments to the console panel.

???: “It’s all set, sir, I have control of the feed. It won’t cut out until we want it to, unless I press the button.”

???: “Good work, Owen. Mute the commentary desk while you’re at it, we’ve heard enough out of them…”

The visible hand mashes a button on the far left of the console. The idle camera then gets picked up and swings over to reveal Christian Quinn inside the truck, leaning on a crutch. He smiles at the camera and gives a big thumbs up.

Christian Quinn: “We’re all good here, boys. We are STILL LIVE!!! Camera #2 now Owen, send it back to the arena and let's give the people what they want.”

On cue, the camera switches back to the arena, where Danny and Nova give each other a huge high five as Danny underarm tosses the microphone to Rondo who, of course, catches it. He smiles broadly at the booing crowd.

Ryan Rondo: “Well, well, well, what have we got here, eh? What’s got you all so riled up? Seems to me like we just got a couple of buds out here having a bit of fun. You all knew that, right?”

Rondo points at Toner and Diamond and then himself.

Ryan Rondo: “You’ve all known for years that us three are tighter than Mrs. Black’s hairy snatch, didn’t you? We finally decided awwwwh fuck it! Why hide our friendship, why have doubts over openly hanging out and doing whatever the fuck we want on TV? I mean… take a look at us! We’re three goddamn, top-drawing STUDS have already proved time and time again that we’re fucking blockbuster and have won everything, done everything, and don’t need to prove a thing to anybody out there. Why are we doing this? Because we can. Because we freaking want to. Because we decided to.”

Rondo tosses Danny the microphone.

Danny Toner: “You got it, G. We’re here to do whatever the fuck we want - get paid, get laid, and just have a bit of fun out here. I mean if anybody tries to step to us or stop us… well… you know…”

Danny nods his head in the direction of the down and out Black on the outside of the ring as Nova kicks the unconscious Peacock in the sternum. Danny feigns mock surprise at this.

Danny Toner: “Nova, my boy! Don’t you think he’s had enough?”

Nova snatches the mic off Danny.

Nova Diamond: “Has he? Lads, if you ask me, the torment only correlates directly to the amount of fun these chucklefucks have been having in our absence. If this is busting his little disco balls so badly, then he should think about the money and clout he’s about to make off the back of this shit. God knows that without us, he’s not reaching the same heights. Look at his track record too, a sappy, shit little soap-opera with Black Jesus of Suburbia down there, cum trucks, saturday morning cartoon villain shit, got his ass punked out in five minutes, bailed by Der Basterd, yadda fucking yadda. Nobody gave a shit until you and Randy showed back up to put the spice back into the menu. Not to mention the meat and the fucking bones too. But even for that, the top suits of FWA had to give you a six-figure pay-day to dig the Back in Business buy-rates out of the hole that the rest of these uninspiring troglodytes put them in. Couldn’t risk a repeat of the Peacock/Truth fiasco of last year, now, could we? Jesus fucking Christ, even I put more heat into my Back in Business main event and I was so green back then I was pissing grass.”

Ryan Rondo: “Wait, was that Cyrus and Chris feud not hot as hell?”

Danny Toner: “Nawh, but it was intentional so it was aight.”

Danny mockingly sticks his tongue out at Rondo and Nova.

Ryan Rondo: “So, I guess these fuckers should be thanking us, huh? We’re pretty much going to save the FWA from tanking, yeah? I mean look around!! Look at this trash here!!!”

Rondo gestures at the fallen Alyster and Peacock with a laugh, before slamming his boot right into the back of Peacock’s head repeatedly. The audience rains down boos on Rondo, and one fan near the railing is picked up by the camera’s audibly screaming “Stop!!!!”.

Ryan Rondo: “I mean, how is anyone supposed to get it up for the Z-list?? How? How???”

Rondo stops stomping Peacock, drops the microphone, and suddenly slips out of the ring. As Toner and Nova lean on the ring ropes and watch with smiles on their faces, Rondo picks up Alyster and gives him a third Amazing KO!! Rondo then gets up, walks over to the steel steps of the ring, and picks the top steps up. He then smashes the steps right onto a prone Alyster, taking a second to admire his own handiwork before sliding back into the ring and snatching the mic he had dropped.

Ryan Rondo: “Fucking moaning like a bitch on the outside while I’m talking, shut your ass up when Daddy is talking, leather gimp.”

Danny Toner: “You up now, Ryan? The blood's boiling, adrenaline pumping?? I mean I feel you my brother, watchin’ these two dipshits trying to pass themselves off as the best tag team this company has to offer made me wanna legit retire before the boys got back in town! But I mean come on man, what other options does THIS FWA have?? Were they going to call back PASSION to get a reaction?? Have Krash yeet himself off another boat?? Were the execs gonna make a call to Main Event Mike to tell him all is forgiven and to slap on his lululemon yoga pants for another pity run?? Gona check in with all the benchwarmers to see whether they’ve binge watched enough Netflix series to patch together a new personality yet??”

Nova Diamond: “I doubt any of that would go over well, Danny. Then again, what even does get over well in THIS fucking circus anyway? ”

Danny Toner: “Well, I know one thing that will get over, watch this!!”

Danny suddenly drops the mic and picks up a stirring Peacock by underhooking Peacocks’s arms. As Peacock is hoisted to his feet, Toner takes a step back and drills Peacock with an Equalizer! The crowd gasps and boos as an already bloodied Peacock spins around and crumples back to the mat. Ryan Rondo gives a big “WOOOO!” as Nova licks his lips. The camera briefly cuts to Rod Sterling animatedly trying to say something to Anzu at the commentary desk, but nobody can hear them as Danny snatches the mic up from the mat.

Danny Toner: “YES ROD, WE ARE STILLLLLLL LIVEEEE!! KEEP YOUR FUCKING MOUTH SHUT BEFORE I COME DOWN THERE AND GIVE YOU THE PUNT THAT YOU SO RICHLY DESERVE!! See how OVER I am, Di-man?? Maybe that’s a good fuckin’ thing. Maybe along the way, we will end up whippin’ all those little bitches sprinkled around the locker room into some shape as well. Maybe we give them a little taste of what being a REAL SHOOTER, a REAL DRAW in this business is supposed to look like!”

Nova chuckles with Danny and shakes his head, saying something that is inaudible to the ringside cameras. Rondo rolls out of the ring and gives another kick to Alyster’s head for good measure. A sickening smile is displayed on The Last Star in the Sky’s face as he leans on the barricades and enjoys the ambiance. He locks eyes with the nearest fan, demanding the bottle of beer that he holds in his hands. And well, what Ryan Rondo wants, Ryan Rondo gets as he beckons the ringside cameraman to come closer to him. Alyster, still partially under the ring steps, is barely moving.

Ryan Rondo: “What do you say, boys? Should I carve ‘NTR’ into this cunt’s skin like our ‘good’ pal Devin did back in the day?”

Rondo mimics looking for a good angle to break the bottle on for a moment before shrugging.

Ryan Rondo: “On second thought, fuck that. I am not besmirching the name by putting it in your skin, Blackie. You aren’t worthy of that honor.”

Rondo gets back in the ring, stepping on Black’s back as he does so.

The bottle of beer Rondo got is now in Nova’s hands, he drinks some and then pours the rest on Peacock, lending the fallen Disco Warrior a few more conscious moments before an Uncomfortably Numb puts him back out once again.

Nova Diamond: “And that’s for not even having the courtesy to bring the tag title with you, mate. It’s like you’re not even proud of being a champion. Tsk tsk.”

He licks his lips seductively before leaning down.

Nova Diamond: “But that’s alright, Disco. Patience is a virtue. We can wait until Lights Out to take those off you two absolute bellends.”

The implications of the last sentence gathers one more set of boo’s towards the newly-minted faction from the revolting fans. They might have learned who the last mystery team in the Elite Tag Classic but surely by now they don’t want them entering.

Danny Toner: “Oh, what’s fuckin’ wrong now? You dirtbags don’t want to see us enter the tournament? Are you worried that we’re going to fuck up all your favourite teams like we just did to our esteemed champs? You scared that we’re going to fuck the entire tournament up and treat it like our bitch? Hah! Live and die with that fear, you dickweeds, because WE ARE… “

Nova gleefully writes the letters in the air as Danny continues.

Danny Toner: “ … N… T… R…”

Rondo gives Peacock one more stomp for each letter.

Danny Toner: “… and that means we’re going to fuck everything you love… and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Keep the fucking eyes, we’re taking everything else!!! We ar-”

The feed to Meltdown is suddenly and finally cut, the screen going straight to black.